Actor Noah Wyle named People’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2026

Noah Wyle, 55, was announced as People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive for 2026. The actor learned of the designation through a People interview released on Tuesday and initially thought it might be a prank. He said his wife helped confirm the news was genuine.

"She was very pleased that this reflects well on her taste," Wyle said, adding that he expected to receive teasing from friends and family.

Wyle first gained widespread recognition playing Dr. John Carter on the NBC medical drama ER in the 1990s. He later appeared in The Librarian film series and television projects such as The Red Line and Leverage: Redemption. In 2025 he returned to a medical role as Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch in the HBO series The Pitt, which has drawn strong viewership and multiple Emmy nominations.

The Pitt has averaged over 18 million viewers per episode, according to Warner Bros. Discovery, and received 13 prime-time Emmy nominations in its first year and 25 in its second. Wyle has won the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for two consecutive years for his work on the show.

"I like being in other people's skin. I like putting on characters. I get self-conscious. It's still the hardest kind of interaction for me, speaking without a script as myself," he told People.

Wyle follows Jonathan Bailey, who was named People’s Sexiest Man in 2025. Reactions to the selection have been mixed, with some fans expressing enthusiasm and others questioning the choice on social media platforms.